"I'm from Latham," said Kevin Peak. "Just looking forward to a good time."

"I'm from Enfield, Connecticut," said Robert Caravello.

"We're from Albany," said Frank Rasso.

Thousands and thousands of people who come to see and be seen...

The track and the economy

Traditionally, people come from far and wide to visit the historic Saratoga Race Course. But with rising fuel and food prices, are people stretching their dollars to make the trek? Our Steve Ference set out to find out.

"We come up from Rhode Island," said Chuck Pendergast.

Many of them hoping to leave with more money in their pockets than when they came which for some could be a big help as prices rise and wages fail to follow.

Caravello said, "It's pretty tough out there with the economy and gas, but you have to spend some money on yourself once in a while."

Rasso said, "We usually have a limo. We go with a whole limo and the whole thing. But this year one person's driving."

"We're here to make money," said Yank.

Pendergast said, "This won't be to fix our economic woes at all."

Sure, gambling is probably not the way to get ahead in this stormy economy. But while horse fans play the odds, track officials are watching the numbers too - hoping all the negative financial news doesn't drive attendance down.

NYRA Vice President Gavin Landry said, "There's a lot of important industry demand that takes place here that bullet-proofs the demand. That automatically brings people to Saratoga."

NYRA officials have said so far they aren't too worried. In addition to that built-in demand, millions of people live within just a few hours drive.

Landry said, "For a three to five hour drive, we're within driving distance of 75 million people."

And so for now, local businesses gear up for what they hope will be a strong season with good weather."

The questions will be, how many people will stay away, and how many people will come out no matter what, betting on a better day by escaping all the negative news - if only for little while.